The HNO said that, of the number of candidates who registered for the examination, 1,590,173 sat for the examination which was also administered to some candidates from some schools in Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Equatirial Guinea, where Nigerian curriculum for the Senior Secondary School was used.

According to him, a total of 1,309,570 candidates also obtained credits and above in a minimum of any five subjects, with or without English Language and or mathematics.

Adenipekun said that results of 180, 205 candidates who sat for the examination was withheld in connection with reported cases of examination malpractice.

He told journalists that the cases were being investigated, adding that reports of the investigation would be presented to the appropriate committee of the council in due course.

“The committee’s decision will be communicated to the affected candidates through their various schools,” he said.

The HNO said that 1,468,071 candidates who sat for the examination had their results fully processed and released while 122,102 others had a few of their subjects still being processed.

Adenipekun gave the assurance that efforts were being made to speedily complete the processing so that all the affected candidates would get their results fully processed and released subsequently.

According to him, 299 of the candidates who sat for the examination are visually impaired, 842 have impaired hearing, 158 have low vision, 75 are spastic cum mentally challenged and 85, physically challenged.

“All these candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

“The results of these candidates have been processed and released along with other candidates,” he said.

He said that the details of the results were already available online.

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake publication circulating in the social media, to the effect that the WAEC has cancelled the conduct of the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and was therefore, set to refund N22,500 to candidates who had enrolled for the examination.

”The publication is patently false and deceitful.

” It is nothing but the handiwork of mischief makers who are out to defraud innocent and unsuspecting candidates and their parents/guardians.

”This piece of news is certainly not from the WAEC. It falls short of the council’s style, language and factual details. They got it all wrong.

“To begin with, the fee for the examination is N13,950 only and not N22,500.

”WAEC, as an examining body in the sub-region, has not announced the cancellation of the examination.

”It only announced a postponement until normalcy is restored. WAEC couldn’t have made a mistake in the full meaning of its acronym.

”We wish to use this opportunity to reassure all registered candidates, schools and other stakeholders that once the situation returns to normal, the council will come up with a new International Timetable for the conduct of the examination in the West African sub-region.

”This will take effect after due consultations with relevant stakeholders. Candidates are, therefore, advised to disregard the publication and concentrate on studying hard for the examination,” the WAEC boss said.

Candidates sitting for this year’s West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations would know when they would be writing the papers after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education, said this at the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 daily press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that WAEC and NECO examinations had been postponed indefinitely over COVID-19 but added that the ministry would soon announce the time for the examination when the lockdown was over.

Nwajiuba said that the ministry was working on how school would be reopened after the lockdown, adding that nobody could reopen school except it was coordinated by the Ministry of Education.

He said that student had been advised to learn via online platforms, stating that the ministry was working with Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ease the process.

According to him, 15 states including Lagos and Anambra have already commenced learning through radio in accordance with approved standard, while also working with NTA and Radio Nigeria to provide educational contents.

The minister said that the biggest challenge were children with no access to the Internet, adding that the ministry was working to provide learning for those categories through terrestrial platforms.

He said some tertiary institutions had commenced online learning, adding that the public institution must leverage on such to engage the students, noting that support from stakeholders to achieve such had been tremendous.

“We are working with any stakeholders that can support our plans by providing platform for our students to learn,” he said.

He allayed fear over the closure of the National Open University (NOUN), adding that they would soon resume after the lockdown.

COVID-19: WAEC interactive portal excites candidates in Kaduna

Prospective candidates for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Kaduna have expressed willingness to leverage on the interactive portal developed by the council following postponement of the examination

The Nigeria News Agency , recalls that WAEC, on April 1, created an interactive information sharing platform which allowed the council to effectively engage candidates before, during and after the examination.

NAN also reports that the WAEC examination ,which was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and an interactive portal was created to analyse candidates’ strengths and weaknesses.

Abubakar Haruna, a WAEC candidate and a resident of Tudun Wada, Kaduna, told NAN that he would make effective use of the portal to boost his proficiency in English language.

“I will make sure I leverage on the portal seriously; the Coronavirus lockdown in Kaduna stopped us from going for extra-mural lessons, the platform will enable me ask a lot of questions especially in English language,” Haruna said.

Another candidate, Miss Amos, a resident of Narayi Highcost in Kaduna, said that this year would be the third time she would be writing WAEC.

“I have made credits in all the subjects required for me to study computer science in the university but for the third time now I will rewrite because of mathematics; I don’t know what the problem is.

“I am good in mathematics but I don’t know where and what the problem is; may be leveraging on the WAEC interactive portal will help me in the methods and approaches I use in solving mathematical problems,” Amos said.

Similarly, Ashir Lawal, a WAEC candidate and a resident of Kinkinau, Kaduna, said he would be writing WAEC for the third time, seeking credit in English language.

“The postponement of WAEC and the creation of the interactive portal will, by God’s grace, be a blessing to us; I only chat and browse past questions and answers.

“I will interact and ask so many questions on the platform to improve my proficiency in English language, and to share my methods on how I approach questions in English language, to see where my problem is,” Lawal said.

Also speaking to NAN, Ummulkhairi Al-Amin, a WAEC candidate of Unguan Mu’azu, Kaduna, applauded WAEC for the provision of the platform.

She said the platform, which was the first of its kind by WAEC, would be of help to the candidates.

“Sometimes when I study my books, I come across questions or statements that need clarifications to understand.

“I may never have the chance to ask questions while in class; this interactive platform will enable me ask questions which would increase my chances of success in the forthcoming examination,””Al-Amin said.

WAEC in its decision said, ”This is as a result of the impact of the Coronavirus and the serious implications it may have on the conduct of the examination coupled with the anxiety it has generated among the populace.

”This decision is in demonstration of the council’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by both the federal and state governments and that of other member countries to check the spread of the disease.

”Consequently, the earlier released time table for the conduct of the examination is hereby suspended until further notice.

”We wish to assure all candidates and their schools as well as all stakeholders and the public at large that the decision will be reviewed as soon as the health situation improves.

”We therefore enjoin all school principals presenting candidates for the examination to inform their candidates accordingly.

”A new date for the conduct of the examination will be communicated to schools and all other stakeholders in due course,”the HNO assured.

In another development, the management of the University of Lagos has implored its students and staff to adhere strictly to all recommended safety measures against the dreaded Coronavirus disease.

This is contained in a statement signed by the institution’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede in Lagos on Friday.

Oloyede said that all students of the university had been directed to vacate the hostels latest by 4p.m on Saturday, March 21, and proceed on a month compulsory break as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

”Following the increase in the identified cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, the University of Lagos Management, at a meeting held with the Provost and Deans Committee on Thursday, March 19, 2020, resolved to close the university.

”Subsequently, Senate at an emergency meeting held today, Friday, March 20, approved the resolution in accordance with the order issued by the Federal Government that all schools nationwide should be closed for the period of one month, effective from Monday, March 23,” she statement .

She noted that the federal government decision was as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.

”In view of the above, management hereby directs that latest by 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, all students should vacate the hostels and return to their respective homes.

“Resumption date is subject to review as developments unfold.

”Members of the university community are hereby enjoined to follow precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

”Management wishes everyone safety and good health during this period,”she added..

“The core objective of the programme is to support the less privileged and out-of-school students in Adamawa to further their education.

“In late 2019, the programme registered 750 qualified students and after three months of intensive training, about 639 successful students were registered for 2020 JAMB, WAEC and NECO examinations,” Sani said.

He said the idea of the programme was to support dropped-out school children and those that finished secondary schools and had no means to further their education.

He stated that among the objectives of the programme was to compliment government’s educational efforts.

Dr Muhammed Yusuf, the Lead Consultant of the Training Programme, told NAN that the programme started with only 50 students in 2017 in two Local Government Areas of the state, Yola South and Yola North.

“Following the successful implementation of the youth educational programme recorded in previous years, the wife of the President decided to expand the programme to cover additional qualified students across the state.

” Now we have about 750 students from three Senatorial zones who are receiving intensive tutorial training on Sciences and Art subjects in preparation for the 2020 JAMB, WAEC and NECO examinations ,” Yusuf said.

He said the primary focus of the programme was the girl-child and that all students were given free electronic gadgets (Tablet) for the training.

Lawmaker pays WAEC fees for indigent students in Anambra

Mr Lawrence Ezeudu, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, has paid registration fees for over 700 indigent students of public schools writing the 2020 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), in his Dunukofia constituency.

Ezeudu, during the Education Empowerment Programme at Dunukofia on Friday, said that the gesture was borne out of a deep concern for the poor students who could not afford the fees for such essential foundational examinations.

“I am so worried about the plight of indigent final year secondary school students. About 30 per cent of the SS 3 students drop out without writing SSCE.

“This is part of my commitment to improve on the standard of education and to reduce the burden of SSCE fees on their parents.

`I promise to sponsor the University education of the best five students in this year’s SSCE.

“ I want to assure you that this empowerment programme will be done yearly as long as I continue to represent Dunukofia in the State Assembly, ” he said

Ezeudu urged the students to be determined, focused and devote more time to academic pursuits necessary to excelling and being reliable leaders of tomorrow.

He restated his commitment to initiate good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of his constituency and the country at large.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, said good representation was about giving back to the society and delivering the dividends of democracy.

Omenugha appreciated the lawmaker and urged other political office holders to emulate such gesture.

She also advised the students to shun all forms of vices that could have negative consequences on their lives.

In his remarks. Mr Emeka Okonkwo, Chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area, commended the lawmaker for the gesture and urged people of the area to cooperate with him to deliver more dividends of democracy.

The Nigeria Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced an electronic certificate management system, a portal deployed to enable private candidates to request for certificates online.

The Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC, Mr Olu Adenipekun, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lagos at a news conference to announce the results of the 2020 first series West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates.

According to him, collection of certificates by private candidates will be based on online requests by such candidates via the platform.

” In order for this to be done seamlessly, we have entered into a partnership with the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST).

“Therefore, using the expedited mail delivery service of NIPOST, candidates can, upon application and required payments done online, have their certificates delivered to them in any state of the federation, irrespective of where they sat for the examination,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the results, the HNO said that a total of 12,395 candidates registered for the examination while 12,075 of them sat for it.

He said that 548 results were withheld in connection with alleged cases of examination malpractice.

“The cases are being investigated, and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the council in due course, for consideration.

“The committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates,” he said.

He added that of the total number of candidates who sat for the examination, 11,816 had their results fully processed and released, while 259 others had a few of their subjects still being processed due to errors traceable to them in the course of registration or writing of the examination.

“Such errors are being corrected by the council to enable the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released subsequently,” the HNO said.

Adenipekun whose tenure will end on Thursday (March 5), said that 9, 438 candidates obtained credit and above in two subjects while 8,125 obtained credit and above in three subjects, and 6,713 obtained credit and above in four

subjects.

According to him, 5,251 candidates obtained credit and above in five subjects, while 3,892 candidates obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and General Mathematics.

Adenipekun advised candidates who sat for the examination to check the details of their performances on the council’s results website: www.waecdirect.org.

According to him, the result checker Personal Identification Number (PIN) and serial number needed by a candidate to check his result online are contained on the photo card obtained during registration for the examination.

Bauchi govt. to pay WAEC fee of 13,011 candidates only

Bauchi State Government on Friday disclosed that it would only pay for 13,011 candidates and not for all students of the state sitting for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).

Ladan Salihu, the Chief of Staff (CoS), Government House, made the disclosure in a news conference in Bauchi on Friday.

Salihu said while the state government was committed to improving the standard of education in the state, the issue of corruption in WAEC sponsorship had been a lingering problem for previous administrations in the state.

He said the government conducted an aptitude test for 21,000 students from 216 secondary schools, revealing that only 13,011 passed the test.

By this, he said, the government would only be responsible for the fees of only those who passed the test.

“The attention of the Bauchi State government is drawn to the reaction of some students in Bauchi metropolis today regarding the full implementation of the 2018 government policy on sponsorship of candidates who passed the mock aptitude test.

“Though the deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela, has addressed the protesting students, it has become pertinent to inform the public that this government is committed to improving the standard of education in the state as it has taken cogent steps in that direction.

“However, the issue of corruption in WAEC sponsorship is one of those that could not be solved by the recent governments until now.

“As a responsible government, committed to reforms, this government conducted an aptitude test in all public schools.

“Out of the 21,000 students who were tested, 12,000 were found to be eligible; this figure, in addition to those in special schools, is what made a total of 13,011 candidates of whom the government would sponsor this year,” said the Chief of Staff.

He further stressed that the state government had pleaded with WAEC to allow parents of students who didn’t make the government sponsorship list to pay for their children.

According to him, the examination body had agreed to do so.

“It was never the policy of the government to sponsor all candidates in the first place.

“The money to do so is simply not there and this would not encourage hard-work among the students,” Salihu maintained.

Nigeria News Agency reports that some Senior Secondary School students had on Friday taken to the streets to protest government’s decision to pay the fees of only those who passed the test.

They argued that the state government should pay the WAEC fee of all students sitting for the examination.

Mr Ayinla Adeyinka, the new commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Lagos State, has said that the command will engage in strict supervision during JAMB and WAEC examinations.